|
|
|
|
|
|
| Eat & Drink |
 Weaver D's
1016 E. Broad St.
At the base of East Broad Street, a once-unassuming brick building now stands out so much that a double-take from passersby is nearly automatic. Weaver D's Fine Foods is an infamous Athens establishment – whether it's because of the restaurant's lime-green exterior, it's slogan "Automatic for the People" titling R.E.M.'s seminal 1992 album, its homemade selections of Southern soul food fare, or its namesake still coming to work everyday and embracing customers with snappy catch phrases like "Communication!" – Sami Promisloff
 Starbucks
100 College Ave.
The coffee conglomerate that stands on the corner of College Avenue is far more than what meets the eye. In 1980, the very same space housed the second incarnation of the 40 Watt Club where local bands began to blossom. Audiences would enter through the downstairs sandwich show to take in acts like Love Tractor and R.E.M., who played in the room multiple times after the group’s debut at the church – Sami Promisloff
 The Grit
199 Prince Ave.
If you're ever seeing your favorite band at one of Athens' many venues, you will probably find its members stuffing their stomachs at The Grit before sound check starts. In a building owned by R.E.M. principal Michael Stipe just outside downtown on Prince Avenue, the restaurant is a widely lamented legend on a local and national scale. All you have to do is check out the pages of the restaurant's recently published cookbook for superlative quotes from rock stars the world over, praising The Grit for its fresh and fun all-vegetarian menu that's far more carnivore-friendly than one could ever expect. – Sami Promisloff
 Copper Creek Brewing Co.
140 E. Washington St.
Monday – Saturday 4 p.m. – 2 a.m.
21+ after kitchen closes
Massive copper vats greet patrons inside Copper Creek's doors, each holding another soon-to-be delicious home brew. The Creek constantly rotates a selection of four in-house microbrews along with a widely varied menu to make for a great dinner spot. Things don't slow down when the kitchen closes -- especially on Tuesday nights when local loyalists come out for pints of perfection at $2 a pop -- as Copper Creek is open for drinking until 2 a.m. – Alec Wooden
 Farm 255
255 W. Washington St.
Tuesdays – Saturdays 5:30 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Sundays 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., 5:30 p.m. - Midnight
Closed Mondays
21+ after kitchen closes at 10 p.m.
Farm 255 is a great destination for any combination of great music, great food, and a great bar selection. Although boasting one of the best burgers in town, the Farm aims to please carnivores and herbivores alike, with a delicious and affordable menu comprised completely of locally grown items. The bar is inviting and offers appetizing cheese plates alongside mass selection of beer, wine, and liquor to keep patrons around late for shows (inside or outside, weather depending) ranging from weekly jazz nights to folk to the latest local indie rock darlings. – Alec Wooden
 The Globe
199 N. Lumpkin St.
Open 7 Days a Week at 11 a.m.
21+ after kitchen closes
Recently honored the top bar in the country by Esquire magazine, the Globe is one of Athens' most treasured watering holes. You won’t find music here, but inside among the dark and brooding pub's wooded furnishings, you will find a wide selection of draft beers, some of the best local food selection, and top-notch people-watching in a laid-back social atmosphere. – Alec Wooden
Bourbon Street
333 E. Broad Street
Monday – Saturday 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
21+
There is a universal truth for the younger college crowd in Athens – when the working week is done (or half done, or sometimes even just one day done), the party begins. At Bourbon Street, expect big crowds and an "anything goes" attitude. The bar offers plenty of space, blaring music and cheap drinks to get the night started. Power-hour from 10 to 11 p.m. is its claim to fame, with already low prices getting even lower with the one obvious goal in mind. – Alec Wooden
 General Beauregard's
164 E. Clayton St.
Monday – Saturday 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
21+
As the name implies, General's is a similar party with a Southern accent. Offering the typical cheap domestic beers to get a night stared, General's boasts bars both upstairs and down, with pool tables and couches in the back to satisfy everyone's needs. – Alec Wooden
 The Loft
164 E. Clayton St.
Monday – Saturday 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
21+
When the power-hours are over, the dance floor heats up at the Loft, a cavernous late-night dance spot on Clayton Street. With plenty of bar space, three pool tables and couches for the dance-breaks, the Loft prides itself on offering a party environment unlike most in Athens. – Alec Wooden
 Mercury Lounge
Monday – Thursday 5 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Friday – Saturday 4p.m. – 2 a.m.
21+
Mercury Lounge is a lingering and lively spot of class on Clayton Street, offering a diverse selection of wines, beers and specialty cocktails. Mod stools and visual art decorate the small space as DJs and musical ensembles rotate night to night. The couches in the back room and cozy patio furniture out front are comfortably prime for people-watching and wasting time in high spirits. – Sami Promisloff
Trappeze
269 W. Washington St.
Monday - Saturday
All ages for lunch menu, 21+ to drink
The latest addition to this calmer scene is Trappeze - a pub with a pages-long menu of beer to die for. The bar specializes in Belgian brews, but also offers locally bred brands like Terrapin and Sweetwater at more affordable prices than anywhere else. Only months old, the bar is currently working on expanding its space and testing out a beer-infused food menu that's already received rave reviews. – Sami Promisloff
Manhattan Café
337 N. Hull St.
Monday – Saturday
21+
Manhattan Café is the ultimate in laid-back bars, playing home to the hipster elite and most hardcore hometown crowd. Dimly lit in orange and auburn shades, the bar offers its signature cocktail as well as affordable domestics. It's an authentic taste of old Athens, situated near the legendary Wilson's Soul Food restaurant, old-time barber shops, and record stores. With an atmosphere unlike any other, it's no wonder that the hidden gem so easily maintains its understated charm. – Sami Promisloff
 283 Bar
283 E. Broad St.
Monday – Wednesday 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Thursday – Friday 5 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Saturday 8 p.m. – 2 a.m.
21+
283 Bar sits on Broad Street, known for its reliable rotation of vivacious bartenders, "Ms. Pac-Man" tournaments on Tuesdays, a newly installed dance floor with disco ball, and a jukebox filled with personal picks from the staff and associated friends. 283's granite steps are constantly overflowing with people for Friday happy hour, and in its 10th year, the fun has yet to stop. – Sami Promisloff
 Allgood
256 E. Clayton St.
Monday – Saturday Noon – 2 a.m.
21+
Allgood has been voted one of the top sports bars in America by establishments like ESPN in the past, and with its multi-level railroad-style marble bars it’s always approachable and active. Downstairs features booths, and up the back-room spiral staircase, drinkers can either shoot pool and catch "SportsCenter" on the projection screen or find solace on the back patio now featuring a tiki bar. – Sami Promisloff
Nowhere Bar
240 N. Lumpkin St.
Monday – Saturday 4 p.m. – 2 a.m.
21+
The consummate college dive, Nowhere Bar features beer, bands, and billiards. Cheap domestic brews are always on tap and it's certainly a go-to site for lingering downtown around last call, when it's always at its busiest. The bar boasts multiple pool tables and dart boards as people pour in over wooden platforms left and right. It's an essential part of the scene that remains reliable always. – Sami Promisloff
 The Hot Dog Men
Corners along College Avenue and Lumpkin Street
Midnight – 4 a.m. any given night
A recent phenomenon in Athens is the rise of a number of late-night "Hot Dog Men" to feed the beer munchies of downtown-goers. From J.B. "The Polish Sausage Man" outside of the 40 Watt Club to a gaggle of more straightforward dog vendors in the heart of the bar district, grabbing a bite to eat while waiting for a cab home has never been easier or more affordable. Weekend lines can get a bit lengthy, so plan on sneaking away from the bars a few minutes before last call to get a head start. – Alec Wooden
 The Grill
171 College Ave.
Open 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week
It's a nocturnal nook with nosh that's to die for. The Grill is a legendary Athens establishment that's kept up shop on the center of College Avenue for generations. Although it's relatively dead during the day, people have been known to wait for minutes upon hours to score a booth once the bars close -- and they always do. Try any of the freshly cooked burgers, sandwiches and crinkle-cut fries with feta dip, cap it off with a hand-churned milkshake or malt and you'll be smiling once you see the sun rise. – Sami Promisloff
 Clocked
259 W. Washington St.
Open 7 days a week at 11 a.m.
It has yet to be confirmed exactly where the name came from, but it's definitely certain that stepping into Clocked is the closest you'll get to stepping into a time machine. The shoebox-sized dinette is little in size but big on delicious bites and vintage decorations, serving up classic diner sandwiches, crazily conceived creations (ask for the Edison Conception or the Peanut Butter Burger), and freshly decorated and often regarded best burgers in town with a ‘60s-era outer space theme. Throw in a side of tots and feta or any of the haunt's homemade sweets and it's sure to send your dehydrated headache running. – Sami Promisloff
 Big City Café
393 N. Finley St.
Monday - Saturday 7 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Sunday 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
For a fresh take on breakfast and baked goods, look no further than Big City Café. Diners delight in the cozy neighborhood café's courtyard year-round as kids chalk the walls and dogs drink from community water bowls. Fresh pastries line the countertops as fresh-baked bread sits on racks just behind. Whether it's "the world on a biscuit," tofu scrambles or thick-cut french toast, Big City's locally grown menu boasts the Classic City’s best breakfast by far. – Sami Promisloff
 Five Star Day
229 E. Broad St.
Open 7 days a week 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Finally, it doesn't take perfect weather and sunny skies for it to be a Five Star Day every day in Athens. All it takes is a little soul. Five Star's prime location sits on Broad Street across from the University of Georgia's picturesque North Campus, and it's where diners dish on filling and affordable gourmet soul food from pot roast and black-eyed peas to chicken and dumplings and top-notch fried green tomatoes. The spot has a no-fail way of making your stomach smile, even after you've been sauced the night before. – Sami Promisloff
|
|
 |
|
|
|
This section's contents are produced entirely by student journalists, brought to Billboard.com by UWIRE, the leading provider of student-generated content. UWIRE aims to identify and promote the brightest young content creators and deliver their work to a larger audience via professional media partners such as Billboard.com. Visit UWIRE.com to learn more. |
|
 |
|
- Amherst, Massachusetts
- Athens, Georgia
- Austin, Texas
- Bloomington, Indiana
- Iowa City, Iowa
- Lincoln, Nebraska
- Los Angeles, California
- Madison, Wisconsin
- Nashville, Tennesse
- Omaha, Nebraska
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
|
|
|
This town profile was produced entirely by student journalists from The Red & Black, the leading news source for the University of Georgia community. You can learn more about the individual student contributors by visiting their profiles on UWIRE.com:
Text: Sami Promisloff, Alec Wooden
Photos: Sami Promisloff
Video: Jason Miller of Eikon
|
|
|
Contact Us 
